Labeling device for upright standing objects

ABSTRACT

Labeling apparatus for applying labels to bottles, glasses or other containers includes a label turret which simultaneously applies shoulder and body labels to each container. The label turret includes an upper turret portion or drum which receives sheet labels from a label magazine containing a stack of sheet labels, and a lower turret portion for receiving labels cut from a pre-printed label tape. A single glue transfer or glue applicator roller is employed for both types of labels. When desired, the tape and feed mechanism for the pre-printed tape can be shut down, and the glue transfer rotor modified to receive sheet labels from a label magazine.

United States Patent [191 Kronsder [451 Feb. 11, 1975 LABELING DEVICE FOR UPRIGHT STANDING OBJECTS [76] Inventor: Hermann Kronsder, Berliner Str.

10, Neutraubling, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 284,838

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 10, 1971 France 7l32742 [52] US. Cl 156/488, 156/493, 156/521, 156/560, 156/572, 156/578 [51] Int. Cl. B65c 3/08 [58] Field of Search 156/521, 557,560, 561,

156/566, 567,568, 519, DIG. 28, DIG. 33, DIG. l1, DIG. 12,486, 488, 493,572,578

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,080 10/1911 Evans 156/476 3,159,522 12/1964 Schmidt 156/566 3,249,483 5/1966 Kauffman et a1. 156/567 3,408,908 1l/1968 Berkowitz 156/521 3,532,585 10/1970 Kronseder.... 156/568 3,536,550 10/1970 Von Hofe.... 156/64 3,536,560 lO/l970 Della Vita et al. 156/560 3,567,559 3/1971 Dullinger 156/571 3,586,586 6/1971 Berg [56/519 3,591,168 7/1971 Zodrow 156/571 3,735,731 5/1973 Tavernier 156/571 3,751,324 8/1973 Enskat 156/578 3,765,991 lO/l973 Hoffmann 156/521 Primary Examiner-Charles E. Van Horn Assistant Examiner-F. Frisenda, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm--.loseph P. House, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Labeling apparatus for applying labels to bottles,

. glasses or other containers includes a label turret which simultaneously applies shoulder and body labels to each container. The label turret includes an upper turret portion or drum which receives sheet labels froma label magazine containing a stack of sheet la bels, and a lower turret portion for receiving labels cut from a pre-printed label tape. A single glue transfer or glue applicator roller is employed for both types of labels. When desired, the tape and feed mechanism for the pre-printed tape can be shut down, and the glue transfer rotor modified to receive sheet labels from a label magazine.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED 1 1975 3,865,671

SHEEI 10F 3 LABELING DEvIcE FOR UPRIGHT STANDING BJECTS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Some types of labeling machines use sheet labels which are removed from a label magazine which contains a stack of label sheets by a glue rotor or transfer roller and conveyed to the label turret. Other types of labeling machines are provided with a tape of preprinted labels which are cut from the tape and fed to the label turret which has suction nozzles to hold the labels on the turret. With a large run of bottles, the use of label tapes reduces the costs of the labels. However, the use of labels cut from a tape is generally limited to body labels with a rectangular shape or rectilinear borders because of the limitations of the tape cut-off knife. Other disadvantages which inhere in the use of tape cut labels with suction nozzles on the label turret are the slipping or shifting of the labels on the turret and thus application of the labels in an improper position on the bottle. With a small run of bottles, it is generally less expensive to employ the sheet labels from the magazine. With a larger run of bottles, the pre-printed label tape is generally less expensive.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides a labeling machine which can apply sheet labels from a stack of sheet labels in a label magazine and labels cut from a pre-printed label tape. When desired, the labeling machine is easily converted to operate solely with sheet labels. Thus, the advantages inherent in the use of both types of labels, i.e., sheet labels and pre-printed label tapes can be obtained when desired.

The label machine of the invention includes a label turret with an upper drum or turret portion for applying shoulder labels or neck labels and a lower drum or turret portion on the same axis for applying the generally larger body labels. A label transport or glue applicator rotor which includes circumferentially spaced pallets which receive glue from a glue roller with the glued surfaces of the pallets contacting the outer label in a label magazine withdrawing the labels from the magazine. The transport rotor also includes a drum located below the pallets to which glue is applied by the same glue roller. The glue applied to the lower drum or glue surface is transferred to the labels which are cut from the label tape.

In one embodiment of the invention, the label tape feed and cut-off mechanism feeds the cut labels directly to grippers on the label turret and glue is applied to the labels as the labels are rotated into contact with the glue transfer roller on their way to the label station. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the cut labels are delivered to the glue coated surface of the glue transfer roll prior to transfer of the labels to the grippers of the label turret. With either embodiment, conversion to sheet labels is easily accomplished.

Other features of the labeling machine include stationary converging guides which deliver the tape cut labels to the label rotor at an angle tangent to the periphery of the label turret. The feed mechanism for the tape labels includes a final label feed roller which rotates at a speed greater than the speed of the rollers which deliver the web to the tape cut'off mechanism. The final feed roller slips on the surface of the tape until the label is cut from the tape by the cut-off knife whereupon the label is accelerated for application to the label turret. The label turret has a greater surface speed than the speed of the tape and accordingly, it is necessary to accelerate the labels. The acceleration of the tape cut labels is also necessary to separate the cut labels at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the shoulder pallets.

Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a labeling machine in accordance with the invention with the upper label turret portion removed to show the label turret portion which receives body labels cut from the label tape.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of labeling apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified em bodiment of the label turret and glue transfer roller shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line AB of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the feed mechanism and cut-off device for the label tape.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified embodiment of the apparatus with the labels cut from the label tape fed to the glue transfer rotor.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of some of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 2 shows labeling apparatus in accordance with the invention with upper and lower label turrets 1 and 2 respectively rotated by a common shaft 3 on a support 29. The upper label turret or drum 1 is provided with resilient pads4 and the lower turret 2 is provided with resilient pads 5. The upper turret l is employed to apply shoulder or neck labels 74 and the label turret 2 applies body labels 75. The label turrets l and 2 are also conventionally provided with label grippers 6 and 7 which cooperate with anvils 8 and 9 to grab the labels and hold the labels until applied to the bottles 59. The grippers 6 and 7 are operated by cams (not shown) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,580.

The labeling apparatus also includes a transport or glue transfer rotor 10 with a shaft or axis 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is provided with a plurality of spaced upstanding shafts 12 which are rotatably received in a bearing plate 27 which is detachably secured to the shaft 11 by a removable manually operable clamp 28 to enable removal of the glue applicator roller 62 as subsequently described when changing over to complete sheet label operation for both the shoulder and body labels.

The sheet shoulder labels 74 are transported from the label stack 16 in a stationary label magazine 15 by curved pallets 14 which are secured to the shafts 12. The pallets 14 have glue receiving surfaces 13. As best shown in FIG. 1, the surfaces 13 receive glue from a glue applicator roller l7-which isprovidedwith'a supply of glue from-a glue pump 18. Surplus glue-is collected in a glue bowl and returned by .a tube 21 (FIG. 2) to a glue reservoir, not shown. The pallet surfaces 13 pick up glue as they rotate past glue roller 17 and pick up the outermost label 74 from the label magazine 15. The shoulder labels 74 are subsequently transferred to the label turret portionl. The swinging movement of the shafts l2 and pallets 13 can be controlled by cams (not shown) which actuate the shafts to move the pallets into an appropriate position for receiving glue and picking up the labels. The glued backs of the labels 74 are pressed against the bottles 59 by the elastic pads 4 as the bottles are firmly clamped between rotary plates 24 and centering bells 25.

The labeling apparatus of the invention includes a tape draw off and cutting assembly and label feed apparatus 31 (FIG. 1). The body labels 75 are severed from a tape or web 49 of printed labels withdrawn from a supply roll 60. The tape 49 is drawn around an idler roller 32 by a driven draw roller 34 which coacts with a counter-roller 35. The draw roller 34 moves the tape 49 to a cut-off mechanism, which includes a rotary cutter block 36 supported on a driven shaft 37 which coacts with a stationary knife 38.- The label feed apparatus 31 includes a transport roller supported on a driven shaft 39 and a counter-roller 46 on an arm 41. The counter-roller 46 is urged against the transport roller 40 by a spring 43 which is connected to an arm 41 and a tension adjusting screw 44. Convergingguides 45 facilitate threading of the tape through the tape feed and cut-off mechanism.

The drive mechanism for the cutting assembly 30 and label feed apparatus 51 is shown in FIG. 5. The shaft 33 of the drive roller is provided with a chain sprocket 47 which is driven'by a chain 48 which isarranged around a chain sprocket (not shown) located on the shaft 3. Thus, the movement of-the tape is synchronized with rotation of the label turrets l and 2. The drive ratios are such that with one revolution of the label turret 2, the label tape 49 is transported about the length of six labels.

The shaft 33 also carries a gear 50 which meshes with a gear 51 on an intermediate shaft 52. A pulley 53 connected to shaft 52 drives the cutter block 36 by 'a belt 54 which is trained around a pulley 55 on'the cutter block shaft 37. A pulley 56 also located on shaft 37 drives the shaft 39 to rotate the transport roller 40. The drive ratios are such that the transport roller 40 rotates at the same or a slightly higher circumferential speed than the surface speed of the labeling turret 2.

In operation of the tape feed and cut-off mechanism, the tape 49 is continuously withdrawn from the supply roll 60 over the damping roller 61 and the guide pulley 32 by the rollers 35 and 34. The tape 49 passes between the cutter block 36 and the stationary knife 38. The distance of the rollers 40 and 46 from the stationary knife 38 is less than the lengthof a label so that the leading edge of the label 75 iscaught by-the rollers 40 and 46 before the label is severed from the tape. The pressure of the counte'r-roller46 is adjusted by the regulating screw 44 so that the transport roller 40 which is rotating at a higher circumferential speed than the roller 35 slides or slips on the tape 49. The roller 35 thus holds the tape securely during the cutting sequence. When a label 75 is separated from thetape 49, the transport roller 40 then acceleratesthe individual label .75 to the surface speed oftlie labeling cylinder. The acceleration of the tapes ,by the transport roller 40 is essential to provide a separation of the labelso'n the labeling turret. When-the labels are innerconnected on the tape, they are very closely spaced.

The stationary guides 42 deliver-the cut labels at an angle tangent to the periphery of the labeling turret for effective delivery to the grippers which close on the label and secure the labels against the anvils 9. (FIG.

multaneously apply sheet shoulder labels and tape cut body labels using a single glue applicator roller, single label turret and only one glue transfer roller. If it is desired to change over from the use of tape cut labels to a magazine with a stack ofsheet labels for the body labels, the. lock nut 28 is removed and the bearing plate 27 and glue transfer roller'62-removed. The shafts 12 are then replaced with other shafts having both body and shoulder pallets. This changeover can easily be ac complished in a minimum amount of time.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modified embodiment of the apparatus in which an oscillating label magazine is employed rather than the stationary magazine 15 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the tape cut labels are delivered by the feed mechanism 31 to the glue transfer roller 10 rather than to the label turret 2. The glue transfer roller 10 has upper and lowerdrums 66 and 67 (FIG. 7) with glue surfaces'68 and 69. The glue surfaces are both supplied with glue by the common glue roller 17. The magazine 70 has a stack of sheet shoulder labels which are taken out of the magazine by the glue surfaces 69 and delivered to the grippers 6 of the label turret l.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also includes a draw-off and label tape cutting device 30 for a label tape 49 and a feeding device 31 similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The feeding device 31 is arranged in such a way that it is able to deliver and press the separated labels against the glue surfaces 68 on the glue transfer drum 66. A rotary pressing device 71 having several vertically spaced discs presses the labels onto the glue surfaces 68. To avoid covering the discs of the pressing device 71 with glue, the glue surfaces 68 are provided with annular grooves 72 which receive the discs in the event a label is missing in the sequence.

FIG. 6 shows a further modification in broken lines in which the glue surfaces of the label turret are supported on cam operated lever arms 84 which swing out to pick up labels from a stationary label pile 73.

As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-5, the embodiment in FIGS. 6 and 7 can easily be changed over from the use of stacks of sheet labels and labels cut to label magazines for both the shoulder and body labels.

I claim:

l. A labeling machine for containers, bottles, glasses or the like comprisinga label turret for applying body and shoulder labels to said containers, said label turret having first and second turret portions with means on said turret portions for gripping labels and applying the labels to a container, means for feeding sheet labels from a stack to one of said first and second turret portions, and cutting and feeding means for cutting labels from a pre-printed label tape and feeding the cut labels to the other of said first and second label turret portions, a glue transfer rotor having separate glue surfaces respectively for sheet labels and for tape cut labels, and a glue applicator roller positioned at the circumference of said glue transfer rotor to apply glue to said separate surfaces for withdrawal of the labels from the stack and applying glue to the tape cut labels carried by said turret.

2. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said glue transfer surfaces on said glue transfer rotor is provided with annular grooves which receive projecting label grippers on said label turret.

3. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 including guides associated with said label turret for pressing tape cut labels carried by said label turret into contact with said glue transfer rotor.

4. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 including a label tape cutting andd feed means positioned at the circumference of said label turret to deliver the labels cut from the tape tangentially to the turret in advance of application of glue to the tape cut labels by said glue transfer rotor.

5. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said tape cutting and feeding means includes a transport roller for the tape cut labels which rotates at a higher circumferential speed than the speed of the tape to accelerate the cut labels from the tape.

6. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transport roller rotates at a higher circumferential speed than said label turret portion which receives aid tape cut labels.

7. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein the distance between said transport roller and the cutting means is less than the length of a cut label so that said transport roller slides on the tape until the label is completely severed from the tape so that said transport roller accelerates the label cut from the tape for application to the label turret.

8. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 7 including an idler roller located opposite said transport roller and including a spring for biasing said idler roller against said transport roller.

9. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 including stationary converging guides between said transport roller and said label-turret to guide the tape cut labels to said label turret.

10. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 in which the separate glue surfaces for sheet labels com prise a series of swinging pallets which swing past said stack to remove labels therefrom and swing past said glue applicator roller to pick up glue therefrom.

11. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 10 in which the separate glue surfaces for the tape cut labels comprise a drum which rotates past said glue applicator roller to pick up glue therefrom and transfer it to tape cut labels carried by said turret. 

1. A labeling machine for containers, bottles, glasses or the like comprising a label turret for applying body and shoulder labels to said containers, said label turret having first and second turret portions with means on said turret portions for gripping labels and applying the labels to a container, means for feeding sheet labels from a stack to one of said first and second turret portions, and cutting and feeding means for cutting labels from a pre-printed label tape and feeding the cut labels to the other of said first and second label turret portions, a glue transfer rotor having separate glue surfaces respectively for sheet labels and for tape cut labels, and a glue applicator roller positioned at the circumference of said glue transfer rotor to apply glue to said separate surfaces for withdrawal of the labels from the stack and applying glue to the tape cut labels carried by said turret.
 2. A labeliNg machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said glue transfer surfaces on said glue transfer rotor is provided with annular grooves which receive projecting label grippers on said label turret.
 3. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 including guides associated with said label turret for pressing tape cut labels carried by said label turret into contact with said glue transfer rotor.
 4. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 including a label tape cutting andd feed means positioned at the circumference of said label turret to deliver the labels cut from the tape tangentially to the turret in advance of application of glue to the tape cut labels by said glue transfer rotor.
 5. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said tape cutting and feeding means includes a transport roller for the tape cut labels which rotates at a higher circumferential speed than the speed of the tape to accelerate the cut labels from the tape.
 6. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transport roller rotates at a higher circumferential speed than said label turret portion which receives aid tape cut labels.
 7. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein the distance between said transport roller and the cutting means is less than the length of a cut label so that said transport roller slides on the tape until the label is completely severed from the tape so that said transport roller accelerates the label cut from the tape for application to the label turret.
 8. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 7 including an idler roller located opposite said transport roller and including a spring for biasing said idler roller against said transport roller.
 9. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 5 including stationary converging guides between said transport roller and said label turret to guide the tape cut labels to said label turret.
 10. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 1 in which the separate glue surfaces for sheet labels comprise a series of swinging pallets which swing past said stack to remove labels therefrom and swing past said glue applicator roller to pick up glue therefrom.
 11. A labeling machine in accordance with claim 10 in which the separate glue surfaces for the tape cut labels comprise a drum which rotates past said glue applicator roller to pick up glue therefrom and transfer it to tape cut labels carried by said turret. 